Author's Note: This is my Cirque Du Freak 100 theme challenge. (Cirque Du Freak is a series by Darren Shan). This is my first time writing and posting it online, so please enjoy!

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My name is Darren Shan. I can't exactly tell you how old I am, because I'm not sure if I should go by the human aging system, or the vampire one. See, I'm a half-vampire. Half-vampire's are part-human, and part… you know. Half-vampires have half the strength of a vampire, but they can go out during daylight. I'm able to climb things hanging from my nails, but I weaken if I don't drink human blood, which I drink in small amounts. When I was born, I was a regular boy, who loved soccer and spiders.

Spiders…

The whole reason I'm a half-vampire is because of this stupid spider, Madam Octa. Actually, she's an intelligent but dangerous creature, who… Let me start from the beginning.

My best friend and Steven and I got tickets to this circus, called Cirque Du Freak, a circus full of freaks! Steve and I watched the show with utmost attention – everything was so exciting and fun! It was nearing the end of the show, when this tall, orange-haired man walked onstage with his famous performing spider, Madam Octa. The man's name was Larten Crepsley, and he and Madam Octa performed many tricks, including one that the spider spun a web in Larten's mouth, and he ate it!

By the time the show was over, Steve seemed distant and distracted. He disappeared before I could get him to explain, so I went after him. When I found him, there he was – asking Larten Crepsley to make him a vampire!

The days that followed are a blur – I stole Madam Octa to play with her, only to have Steven get bitten! I had to search for in order to save him. When I found him, Mr. Crepsley said the only way he's save Steve was if I became his assistant as a half-vampire.

So I did.

It's been a few years since then, and now I travel wherever Mr. Crespley goes. We mostly stay and perform with Cirque Du Freak, my new home. I've gotten used to being a half-vampire, but I always find myself wondering what would of happened if I hadn't stolen Madam Octa, or if I hadn't met Mr. Crepsley…

No matter what, I guess being a vampire is my future, and I have to deal with it.